Wheel suspension



13. 24, 1940. P. K. BEEMER 2,225,966

WHEEL SUSPENSION Original Filed Jan. 19, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. FazzZ /7. 56627767."

liiif i Dec. 24, 1940. P. K. BEEMER 2,225,956

WHEEL SUSPENS ION Original Filed-Jan. 19, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Paul /K; 566777671 ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 24, 1940. P. K. BEEMER 2,225,966

WHEEL SUSPENSION Original Filed Jan. 19, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 EELS. M

f 99 ff;

w n INVENTOR.

34 5/ 7 Pay Z ,5? 5

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 24, 1940 WHEEL SUSPENSION Paul K. Beemer, Highland Park, Michi, assignor to Chrysler Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Original application January 19, 1934, Serial No.

Divided and this application October 27, .1934, Serial No. 750,275

llCla-ims.

This invention relates to automotive vehicles and more especially to independent wheel suspension constructions.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 707,242 filed January 19, 1934, (now issued on April 18, 1939, as Patent No. 2,154,558), and is directed primarily to my improved wheel suspension, my aforesaid copending application being more particularly directed to my improved steering mechanism.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide improved wheel suspension mechanism for an automotive vehicle; to provide wheel suspension mechanism particularly adapted for independently sprung wheels; to provide a wheel suspension mechanism to which practically all types of springs orequivalent cushioning means are applicable; to provide wheel suspension means for independently sprung wheels which afzo ford longitudinal and transverse rigidity; to provide wheel suspension means for independently sprung wheels which has a long effective swinging radius so that very little change in tread, or

camber of steerable wheels, is caused during operation of. the vehicle; to reduce to a minimum the number of moving joints per wheel for independently sprung wheel suspension means; to provide independent wheel suspension mechanismfor'each of a pair of steerable wheels such that each wheel oscillates in a manner facilitating steering and without intentional alteration of the position of the steering wheels during their vertical displacement.

. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved-wheel suspension of the independently sprung type applicable either to steering ornon-steering wheels and having improved rigidity against road shocks.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of several illustrative embodiments which my invention may assume, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the'chassis of an and steering mechanism according to this invention; I:

Fig. 2 is a top plan of the wheel suspension chassis shown inFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front end'elevation or the mechaautomotive vehicle embodying a wheel suspension mechanism arranged at the front portion of the Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3; and,

Figs. .6, 7, 8 and 9 are views similar to'Figs. 2, 3,

4, 5, respectively, and showing a modified form of wheel suspension and steering mechanism, the 5 sections shown in Figs. 8 and 9 being taken on the lines 8-8 and 9-9 of Figs. 6 and 7, respectively;

Fig. 7a is an enlarged detail sectional perspective view of a typical wheel suspension line sup- 10 port, the section being taken along the line la--la of Fig.6;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a forward portion of a motor vehicle illustrating a further modified form of my invention; 1 15 Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of the vehicle chassis shown in Fig. 10 with portions thereof broken away to illustrate the spring suspension;

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevational view of the universal joint connection between the drag link and idler guide link of Fig. 10, the section being taken along line l2-I 2 thereof Fig. 13 is a detail elevational view partly incross-section showing the idler steering link of Fig. 10; v

Fig. 14 is a detail fragmentary plan view of a 25 slightly modified form of the steering linkage arrangementof Fig. 10.

Referring to the drawings and more especiallyto Figs. 1 to 5 thereof, the numeral I0 designates 30 the chassis frame of an automotive vehicle and comprises side sills, II and a cross member l2.

Outrigger brackets I3 are provided, preferably at or adJacent the. juncture of the cross member and side rails and have upper spring pad portions i4 35 arranged thereon by whichthe chassis frame may .be resiliently supported from the running gear of the vehicle. Thewheel suspension mechanism, according to this invention, may be applied. to either the front or rear wheels, or both, of the vehicle. In the 40 present instance the application of the suspension mechanism will be described as applied only to the steerable wheels of the vehicle. The front wheels I Sand it are. each provided with a'steering spindle knuckle i1 ,0! II and .each steeringknuckle is provided for each of the wheels I! or I6 and is pivotally connected at one end by means ofasteering knuckle pivot pin 23 to the steering knuckle H or it. The axles 2| and. are provided with lower spring pads 24 cooperating with resilient or cushioning meansliand theupper spring pads ,It for resilient ,supportingof :the

' chassis frameon the running gear of the vehicle.

While in the present instance the resilient means 25 is disclosed as in the form of coiled or helical springs, it is noted that other desired types of springs or cushioning means may be employed.

The line 4-4 of Fig.2 may be assumedto represent the central longitudinal axis of the chassis frame Ill. The axle 2| is pivotally connected at one end by means of a steering knuckle pivot pin 23 to the steering knuckle II for wheel II and at the opposite end is provided with a bearing 23 by which it is pivotally connected to the chassis frame It. A distance member 21 is connected at one end to the axle 2| and may be secured thereto by means of the same bolt 23 which connects the lower spring pad 24 to this axle member. The opposite end of the distance member 21 is provided with a bearing 30 having its axis in alignment with the axis of the bearing 23 provided at the axle end. The axis, designated 3|, of the bearings 3|| and 26 is arranged at an angle both with respect to the central longitudinal axis 44 of the chassis frame l0 and with. respect to a transverse axis of such frame. The axle 2| extends from its pivotal connection to the wheel spindle H to the opposite side of the central longitudinal axis 4-4 of frame Iii so that the axis 3| of the bearings 30 and 26 intersects the plane of the axes of the spindle knuckle pivot pins 23 at a. point approximately midway of the length of the spindle of the steering knuckle II when the wheels I! and I 6 are aligned for straight line forward motion of the vehicle. The axle 22 is also provided with a bearing 33 at one end thereof by which it is pivotally connected to the chassis frame I 0 and is pivotally connected at the opposite end by means of the steering knuckle pivot pin 23 to the steering knuckle l8. A distance member 34 is connected at one end to the axle 22 by means of a bolt 28 and is provided upon the opposite end with a bearing 35 and this axis is arranged at an angle with respect to both the central longitudinal axis 4--4 of the chassis frame and with respect to a transverse axis thereof. The axis 36 of the bearings 33 and 33 intersects the plane 32 of the axes of the spindle knuckle pivot pins 23 at a point outside the pivot pin 23 for the steering knuckle l1 and at approximately the midpoint of the length of the spindle for the steering knuckle II, with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2. Thus by preference the axis 36, about which wheel i6 oscillates, approximately intersects the vertical plane of the other wheel I! with the wheels positioned for straight ahead vehicle travel as illustrated. This arrangement virtually eliminates twisting forces or couples when one of the wheels takes the reaction incident to rising and falling movement of the other wheel. The camber angle of the wheel is also approximately maintained by my improved arrangement because the closer that axis 36 approaches parallelism with plane 32, the more nearly constant will be the camber of wheel It as it rises and falls. The same relationships exist for wheel it oscillating about axis 3| and in Figs. 6 and 7, presently described, I have illustrated a modified arrangement of linkage for obtaining the foregoing advantages.

As viewed in Fig. 2, it will be noted that both of the axles 2| and 22 are deflected slightly in a rearward direction adjacent the bolts 23 so that the bearings 26 and 33 are disposed rearwardly of the remaining portions of the axle and substantially in the line of the cross member l2 so that they maybe mounted on supports extended downwardly from frame l3 such as depending between as the wheels II and II are displaced during operation of the vehicle.

It will be noted from Figs. 2 and 3 that the bearings 30 and 33 are disposed in the same longitudinal vertical plane as one of the side rails andthebearings23and3lare dispoedin the longitudinal vertical plane of the other side rail II, and that the bearings of each pair 23 and 30 and 33 and 33 are spaced fixed distances apart by means of the frame I0 and such cross members thereof as indicated at i2 so that the frame i0 serves as a rigid structural member acting along the axes 3| or 33 to space such pairs of bearings fixed distances apart. Since the frame Ill maintains the bearings 23 and 30 or 33 and 33 fixed distances apart, it will be immaterial as to whether the frame I0 is a chassis frame alone or a combined chassis and body frame. With the frame forming a rigid structural element acting along the'axes 3| or 33, the wheel suspension means ineach instance is in the form of a triangle having the body at one side, a distance member as a second side and the axle as a third side forming a statically determinate and substantially planar structure. the only departure from a single plane being due to the bowing of the axles in the, vertical direction as shown in Fig. 3 to prevent interference therebetween during displacement of the wheels. Thus the wheel suspension means for each wheel will constitute three members, the frame, a distance member, and an axle connected by three joints so that each wheel suspension means will be rigid both in a longitudinal and transverse direction. To prevent relative axial movement of the bearings 3|! and 28 or 33 and 35, end members 38 are provided for each bearing and rigidly fixed relative to the frame I3 to support members such as 31 of Fig. 3. In Fig. 7a. I have illustrated a typical support 31, such support being shown in connection with the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive and more particularly hereinafter referred to.

During operation of the vehicle, the suspension structure for the wheel I! will oscillate about the axis 3| and the suspension structure for the wheel IE will oscillate about the axis 36. In each instance the wheels I! or |3 will have a long effective transverse swinging radius substantially equal to the thread between the wheels so that little change in tread or camber of the wheels will be caused by displacement of the wheels due to irregularity of the road surface. It is also noted that as a matter of practical operation there will be no appreciable transverse dragging of the tires along the road surface, due to the long effective transverse swinging radius of each wheel suspension construction. While the effective swinging radius of each wheel in a longitudinal direction is considerably shorter, it is noted that relative rotation of the wheelson the spindles IT or II in the illustrated embodiment or relative rotation of the wheels through a differential mechanism (not shown) in case power is transmitted through the wheels will prevent dragging of the tires along the road'surface in a longitudinal direction.

aaaaoee In the interests of clarity and convenience I will, for the most part, describe and hereinafter claim my steering mechanism only as the mechanism is adjusted to position the steering wheels for a normal straight ahead'movement, of the vehicle. Obviously, the geometry of the parts as thus set forth will vary as the steering wheels are moved from their normal straight ahead positions.

In the steering construction employed in conjunction with the wheel suspension mechanism illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the steering knuckle arms are connected by a pair of securing knuckle tie rods 40 which, in one embodiment of my invention and when wheels l5 and ii are directed straight ahead, are interconnected at or brought into relatively close proximity to, a point 4| coinciding with the intersection of the axis of oscillation 3| and 33 of the independent wheel suspension structures. A drag link 42 con meets a steering wheel control mechanism 33 and gear 39a of any well-known type to the steering knuckle tie rods 40, the drag link 42 having a universal joint connection at 3% with the actuating arm 390 of the gear 33a. The drag link is pivotally connected to the tie rods for rotation about a vertical axis passing through the point 4| or arranged in close proximity thereto at such point or points that the axis of either wheel l5 and I3 issubstantially unchanged with respect to axes 3| and 33 respectively when either wheel rises or fails when the vehicle is driven straight ahead. A guide or idler link 43 pivotally connected to the cross member l2 of frame ID at point 44 is also pivotally connected to the tie rods 40 for rotation about a vertical axis passing through the point 4|. Since the point of steering control originates at point 4| and this point coincides with the intersection of the axes of oscillation 3| and 33, the geometry of the steering mechanism will not be affected by displacement of the wheels in either the same or opposite directions during operation of the vehicle. The tie rods 40 are connected to the steering arms 20 by'ball and socket joints 45 or other suitable universal joint connections.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, it will be noted that the idler link 43 is connected to the cross member |2 of frame l at its guiding end by means of pivot pin 44 and is provided with a bearing 43 for receiving the pivot pin. At the opposite and link 43 is provided with a bearing 41 for receiving a spindle 48. The drag link 42 is connected to the spindle 43 as indicated in Fig. 4. The lower end of the spindle 48 is enlarged and provides a coaxial cylindrical bearing portion 50 upon which the interconnected end of the steering knuckle tie rods 40 may be joumaled. The axis of the spindle 48 projects vertically through the point 4| at the intersection of the axes of oscillation 3| and 33 of the wheel suspension structures. Each of the steering knuckle tie rods 43 is provided with a socket portion 52 and a yieldable or resilient material, such as rubber, is interposed betweenthe cylindrical bearing portion 53 and each of the socket members and also separates the socket members from each other. The yieldable or resilient element 53 is preferably of a rubber composition which may be molded in place and vulcanized to the cylindrical bearing portion 50 and to each of the socket members 52. The spindle 43 is arranged for rotation about its own axis 5| and for revolution about the axis of the pivot pin 44 but is notpermitted other angular movement relative to the frame ll. Angular movement of the steering knuckle tie rods 43 relative to the frame II will be taken up by the resilient element 53 during displacement of the wheels l5 and I3 incident to the operation of the vehicle. The resilient element 53 also serves to dampen vibration of the wheels and steering mechanism connected thereto and to prevent 'the transmission of shock from the wheels to the steering control mechanism of the vehicle.

In operation of my steering mechanism it is apparent that hearing 43 of the idler or guide link 43 is relieved of the load transmitted from steering gear 330 and drag link 42 to the tie rods 43 when wheels I5 and I3 are steered; bearing 43 being further relieved of shocks transmitted from these wheels through the tie rods to the drag link and steering gear. Bearing 43 and link 43 may therefore be relatively small and of light weight and objectionable bearing wear minimized.

In the above construction the distance members 21 and 34 are preferably made sufliciently strong to prevent axle roll under braking torque applied at the independently sprung wheels. These distance members may also have shock absorbers actuated thereby as hereinafter more particularly referred to in connection with the Fig. embodiment of my invention.

angular bend in a rearward direction adjacentthe steering knuckle pin 23 so that each axle is disposed wholly on the same side of the longitudinal central axis of the frame I3, such axis-coinciding' with the line 3-3 of Fig. 6. Distance members 21 and 34 are secured to the axle members 3| and 32 by bolts 23 which also serve to secure the lower spring pad 24 to the axle as in the previously described embodiment. The ends of the axles and of the distance members are provided with bearings 23, 33, 33 and with the axis of bearings 33 and 23 extending in a direction such that they intersect the vertical plane of the steering knuckle pivot pins 23 at a point outside the pivot pin of wheel l3 and the bearings 33 and 35 are in alignment so that the axis thereof intersects the plane 32 of the knuckle pivot pins outside the steering knuckle pivot pin 23 of wheel l5 and approximately directly above the center of the tread 'of that wheel. The axis 3| of the bearings 23, 33 and the axis 33 of the bearings 33, 35 intersect at point 4| at which the steering control of the steering mechanism originates. In this construction as in the previous embodiment each wheel has a long eiiective transverse swinging radius approximately equal to the tread between the wheels l5 and I3. By

arranging the axles 3| and 32 both on opposite ends are brought together.

ll while the bearing members 28 and 33 are fixed to cross members or intermediate frame structure. In this embodiment, likewise, any desired form of spring suspension or equivalent cushion-- ing means may be employed for resiliently mounting the frame of the vehicle on the running gear therefor.

' In the steering mechanism disclosed by way of illustration in conjunction with the latter embodiment of wheel suspension means, steering knuckle tie rods IO, corresponding to the tie rods I of the previously described embodiment, are both connected at-the inner ends thereof to the idler or guide link member 3 so that their inner A drag link I2 is pivotally connected to the aforesaid am "e and gear "a of the steering control mechanism. and to the idler link it at a point spaced rearwardly from the connection between the steering knuckle tie rods and the link If. All of these connections are preferably arranged in close proximity to the point I which represents the intersection of the axes 3| and 36 about which the wheel suspension structures are adapted to oscillate.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 8 and 9, the guide link 3 is provided with a bearing portion 86 by which it is pivotally connected and guided through the intermediary of the pivot bolt 44 to a suitable portion of the frame ll such as the said cross member If. At the other end the link 83 is provided with longitudinally spaced downwardly extending arms 64, I, each provided with a ball or spherical portion 6. respectively adapted to be connected to the steering knuckle tie rods and to the drag link I2. Each of the-steering knuckle tie rods l0 and the dra link I! are provided with generally correspondingly formed sockets 6'! and 51a respectively, the sockets being of spherical shape and cut away at the upper portion for the admission of the spherical ends 66 of arms 04 and IS. The sockets 61 do not extend all of the way around spherical member 66. Resilient or yieldable elements 68 are interposed between the spherical members 66 and the sockets 61, and preferably these yieldable elements are of rubber composition adapted to be molded in place and vulcanized toboth the spherical or ball ends 66 and the sockets 61. The arm 83 is adapted to revolve about the pivot bolt 44 in guiding and supporting the inner ends of the tie rods and drag link but is preferably adapted to have no other angular movement with respect to the frame It. The yieldable elements 88 are adapted to take up or damp vibration transmitted from the wheels, to prevent the transmission of shock and vibration from the wheels to the steering control mechanism and to yield to permit angular movement of the steering knuckle tie rods 60 with, respect to the frame of the vehicle upon displacement of the wheels incident to operation of the vehicle.

Referring now to Figs. 10 to 14 of the drawings reference character A represents the chassis frame having cross member 10 thereof, and B indicates the usual front steering ground wheels of the motor vehicle.

I have illustrated this modification of my invention in connection with steering wheels of a somewhat more conventional type of independent springing in which each wheel B is rotatably mounted on a spindle H swivelled by a pin 12 to a generally vertical link 13 having its ends pivotally connected at H and I! to the upper and lower links or wishbones 16 and 1'! respectively.

The inner arms of wishbone It are provided with pivotal bearings 10, ll spaced longitudinally of the vehicle and supported by cross member ll through the intermediary of shock absorber OI. 'Likewise each wishbone II has its inner arms 5 provided with longitudinally spaced pivotal bearings ll, 82 supported by member ll. Wheels B yieldably support chassis A by suitable springs herein illustrated as coil springs 03 between cross member IO and wishbone 11. 10

One of the wishbones of each wheel B and preferably the somewhat longer lower wishbones 11 have their bearings ll, 82 axially aligned, such axes 84, ll converging rearwardly to intersect the longitudinal median plane I of chassis A at l the point 81 adjacent the rear bearings II. The other wishbones I having their bearings ll, ll similarly axially aligned, such axes II, II extending rearwardly parallel to axes I4, I! respectively and converging at a common point (not shown) intersecting plane I6 rearwardly of point In operation of the wheel suspension of Figs. 10 and 11 as thus far described it will be apparent that either wheel B may be independently displaced upwardly or downwardly as it rotates, such displacement being guided about the parallel pairs of associated axes 84, ll and l5, 89 as the case may be. During such displacement of any wheel B, such wheel has its axis ll practically unchanged, such axis being displaced in parallel positions by reason of wishbones II, II and arm I3.

Referring now to my improved steering mechanism, each spindle 1| has an arm at extending rearwardly therefrom for connection through a ball and socketuniversal joint 9| with a tie rod 02 or 93. Pivoted at 94 to cross member II is an idler guide link I! having a bearing portion II for said 0 pivot ll, said link preferably extending rearwardly from its pivot along the plan I whensaid wheels B are positioned for straight ahead running of the motor vehicle. Tie rods '2, ll have their inner ends connected through ball and 45 socket joints 9], 9| respectively to the guide link 95. The joints 91, 98 are positioned in associ ation with axes 84, 85 respectively so that, with wheels B positioned as illustrated, such wheels are substantially motionless regarding movement 50 on pins I2 when either of the wheels is displaced due to an irregularity in the roadway. In other words the arm joints 8! are permitted to follow their natural paths of movement on wheel displacement, such paths being defined by the wheel supporting and guiding linkage. In Fig. 10 I have illustrated the pivotal joints 91, "as lying to one side of axes l4, '5 respectively associated therewith although I desire to point out that such relationship may vary according to the degree in so which the aforesaid desirable results are obtained and also according to the particular form and arrangement of wheel suspension employed. Thus, these joints .1, 98 may be located to either side of their associated respective axes I4, I! or they may be intersected by these axes as shown in Fig. 13 in which the same reference characters are employed. Deviation of the vertical center lines of joints 91 and 9| from their associated axes I4 and '5 respectively is desirable in many instances in order to compensate for the movement of the steering arm joints ll in a path which is not truly circular about an axis in plane 86 but deviates slightly therefrom owing, among other things, to the inclination of axes 84, 0!, II and 1s pension employed, the Joints .1, 98 are located to alter as little as possible the path of movement that thejoints 0i tend to naturally follow on vertical wheel displacement.

ferred to hereinbefore. In this figure the joint 89 is formed by the metal ball "I! secured at llll to the idler link 95, the socket IIII having ballrecelving metallic bearing portions I08 and having a sleeve III! threadedly receiving drag link The link 9! guides the ends of the drag link I" and tie rods 92, 93 connected thereto for transmitting steering movement-\to wheels B from steering gear I", it being observed that bearing 96 is relieved of this steering force. Furthermore, road shocks experienced at wheels B are transmitted directly from the tie rods to the drag link and steering gear ll! independently of the bearing 9!. Hence such forces and shocks do not pass through bearing 98.

Since many changes could be made in the above constructions and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention couldbe effected without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and 1 not in a limiting sense.

What I claim is:

1. In a motor vehicle, a frame, wheels arranged at opposite sides of said frame, individual axles for said wheels, resilient means connecting each axle to said frame, a distance member connected at one end to each axle, bearing 'members arranged at the other ends of said distance mem bers mounting the latter on the frame and bearing members respectively arranged at an end of each of said. axles for pivotaliy connecting each mile to said frame for oscillation aboutan axis arranged at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said frame, each axle having the bearing member at one end thereof and the bearing member at one 'end of the distance member connected thereto arrangedon opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis of said frame, said axles crossing each other'when viewed in plan and being bowed, one upwardly and the other downwardlyr toavoid interference therebetween during operation of the vehicle.

2. In a suspension for a steerable ground wheel of a motor .vehicle having a frame structure,

means for mounting said frame structur on said wheel for vertical displacement of said wheel independently of the remaining ground wheels of the vehicle and including a spindle rotatably Journalling said wheel, a king pin providing a steering swivel for said wheel, said mounting means further including a substantially V-shaped link adapted to guide vertical displacement of said king pin, the arms of said link having spaced axially aligned pivotal bearings, and means for pivotaliy supporting said link arm bearings for.

swinging movement of said link about an axis inclined with respect to the longitudinal vertical mid-plane of the vehicle, said link arm bearings 7 being located on the same side of said longitudinal vertical mid-plane, each of the arms of said 'link lying at an acute angle with said mid-plane,

each of said link arm bearings being spaced longitudinally of the vehicle from a transverse vertical plane containing the axis of said wheel spindle and in the same longitudinal direction from said transverse vertical plane.

3. In a motor vehicle, the combination with a vehicle frame including generally longitudinally extending side frame members, of road wheels disposed at opposite sides of said frame, and means for supporting said wheels for independent rising and falling movement with respect to said frame, said means including a link pivoted to each of said wheels and to said frame, each link having-a pair of relatively longitudinally spaced pivotal connections respectively with each of said side frame members on a common axis inclined at an acute angle with respect to the general longitudinal vertical mid-plane of said vehicle, the forwardly disposed pivotal connections of each pair lying in a vertical transverse plane perpendicular with said mid-plane, the rearwardly disposed pivotal connections of each pair lying in another transverse vertical plane perpendicular with said mid-plane.

4. In a motor vehicle, the combination with a vehicle frame structure, of a pair-0f steerable road wheels disposed at opposite'sidesof and adjacent the forward end of said frame structure,

means associated with each of said wheels and said frame structure for supporting and guiding saidwheels for independent rising and falling movement, each of said wheel supporting and guiding means including at least one link having arms diverging from a wheel for pivotal connection to said frame structure, means providing a pivotal connection between the ends of said diverging arms of each of said links and said frame structure whereby each of said links swings about an axis inclined at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal vertical mid-plane of the vehicle, one of said links having one of its arms crossing above an arm of the other of said links.

5. In a motor vehicle, the combination with a vehicle frame structure, of a pair of steerable road wheels disposed at opposite sides of and adjacent the forward end of said frame structure, means associated with each of said wheels and said frame structure for supporting and guiding said wheels for independent rising and falling movement, each of said. wheel supporting and guiding means including at least one link having arms diverging from a wheel for pivotal connection to said frame structure, means providing a pivotal connection between the ends of said (11- road wheels disposed at opposite sides of and ad- Jaeent the forward end of said frame structure,

vmeans associated with each of said wheels and said frame structure for supporting and guiding said wheels for independent risingand falling movement, each of said wheel supporting and guiding means including at least one link having arms diverging from a wheel for pivotal connection to said frame structure, means providing a pivotal connection between the ends of said diverging arms of each of said links and said frame structure whereby each of said links swings about an axis inclined at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane containing the lonsitudinal axis of the vehicle.

7. In independently suspended vehicle wheels, a" pair of oppositely disposed angular frames, means for pivotally securing each frame to both sides of the bottom of a chassis frame, said frames formed so that they may be positioned in diagonal crossed relation and operatively' independent of each other, and means for permanently fixing said frames with the vehicle wheels respectively.

8. In a motor vehicle, the combination with a vehicle frame structure, of a pair of steerable 'road wheels disposed at opposite sides of and adjacent the forward end of said frame structure, means associated with each of said wheels and said frame structure for supporting and guiding said wheels for independent rising and falling movement, each of said wheel supporting and guidingmeans comprising a link having arms diverging from a wheel for pivotal connection to said frame structure, means providing a pair of longitudinally and transversely spaced pivotal connections respectively between the ends of said diverging arms of each of said links and said frame structure whereby each of said links swings about an axis inclined at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal vertical mid-plane of the vehicle, each of said links having a steering knuckle-mounting portion rigidly carried therewith at its outer end, and a steering-knuckle structure rotatably carrying one of said wheels and steerably swiveled to each of said link por tions, the forwardly disposed pivotal connections of each pair being spaced equally from saidmidplane and lying in a vertical transverse plane perpendicular with said mid-plane, the rearwardly disposed pivotal connections of each pair likewise being spaced equally from said mid-plane and lying in another transverse plane perpendicular with said mid-plane, the inclined axis of swinging of each of said links intersecting the vertical plane containing the axis of rotation of the wheel supported by the other of said links substantially in the vertical plane of the last said wheel when said wheels are positioned for straight ahead vehicle travel. a

9. In a motor vehicle, the combination with a vehicle frame structure, of a pair of steerable road wheels disposed at opposite sides of and adjacent the forward end of said frame structure, meansv associated with each of said wheels and said frame structure for supporting and guiding said wheels for independent rising and falling movement, each of said wheel supporting and guiding means, comprising an oscillatory axle extending inwardly of the vehicle from a wheel for pivotal connection to said frame structure, said axles obliquely crossing one above the other at a point intermediate their lengths, and means providing a pivotal connection between the inner end of each of said axles and said frame structure.

10. In a 'motor vehicle, the combination with a vehicle frame structure, of a pair of steerable road wheels disposed at opposite sides of and adjacent the forward end of said frame structure, means associated with each of said wheels and said frame structure for supporting and guiding said wheels for independent rising and falling movement, each of said wheel supporting and guiding means comprising an oscillatory axle'extending inwardly of the vehicle from a wheel for pivotal connection to said, frame structure, said axles obliquely crossing one above the other at a point intermediate their lengths, and means providing a'pivotal connection between the inner end of each of said axles and said frame structure, each of said pivotal connections being disposed at a point on that side of the vertical longitudinal mid-plane of the vehicle remote from the associated wheel, said pivotal connections lying approximately in a transverse plane perpendicular to the aforesaid mid-plane.

11. In a motor vehicle, the combination with a vehicle frame structure, of a pair of steerable road wheels disposedat opposite sides of and adjacent the forward end of said frame structure, means associated with each of said wheels and said frame structure for supporting and guiding said wheels for independent rising and falling movement, each of said wheel supporting and guiding means comprising an oscillatory axle extending inwardly of the vehicle from a wheel for pivotal connection to said frame structure, said axles obliquely crossing one above the other at a point intermediate their lengths, and means providing a pivotal connection between the inner end of each of said axles and said frame structure, said pivotal connections being arranged to provide oscillation of each axle about an axis inclined at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal vertical mid-plane of the vehicle.

PAUL K. BEEMER. 

